Assig-nob



E. H. BELDEN. CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED lULY 22, |918.

. PaudJune21,1921.

2` SHEETS-SHEET l.

E. H.,BELDN. I

CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED Jun/22,1918.'

1,381,960. Patented June 21, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNHED STATES PATENT EDXNARD H. BELDEN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY IJIESNE ASSGNMENTS, TO THE WILLYS-OVERLAND COMPANY, 0F TOLEDO, 01116, A CORPORATION OF 01110.

CLUTCH.

Application filed July 22,

To all L0 hom t may concern Be it known that ll, EDWARD H. BELDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Uhio, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Clutches, of which de-v clare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

rlhis invention relates to clutches and more particularly to transmission shaft driving clutches for motor vehicles.

@ne of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved clutch construction in which adjustment for wear may be very easily made.

A. further object of my invention is to provide a clutch construction such that an unequal. or uneven adjustment on opposite sides of the clutch will not cause the operating parts to bind on the driven shaft.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a clutch construction in which the parts can be very easily disconnected and removed for inspection or repair.

Further objects, and objects relating to economies of manufacture and details of construction, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

l accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims.

A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure ll is a longitudinal, sectional elevation of a clutch embodying the invention taken substantially on the line I-I of Fig. 1l.

Fi 11 is a transverse, sectional elevation taken substantially on the line II-II of Fig. l. y

Fig. 111 is a detail, sectional view taken substantially on the line IIL-1H of Fig. I.

Fig. 1V is a detail, perspective view of a portion of theloclring ring.

Fig. V is a view in elevation of the rear face of the cluteh lever fulcrum plate, and

Fig. V1 is a similar View of the front face of the plate.

1n the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout Specification of Letters Patent.

1318. Serial No. 246,293.

the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the small arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawing, I have shown -a clutch comprising the driving shaft 10 provided with a radially extending flange 11 which is secured to the main web 12 of the fly wheel 13 by means of bolts 14. rlhe fly wheel rim is provided with a rearwardly extending annular portion 15 in which is formed a substantially cylindrical chamber' for housing certain of the clutch parts.

rlhe driven or transmission shaft 16 eX- tends in aXial alinement with the driving shaft 10 and is provided with a reduced forward end 17 which is j ournaled in a bearing 18 mounted in an axial opening in the web 12 of the fly wheel 13. The hub 1f) of a disk 20 is suitably secured upon the forward end of the driven shaft 16 so as to turn therewith and a clutch ring or disk 21 which v is disposed within the chamber formed in the iy wheel is secured near its inner pe riphery to the disk 20 by means of rivets 22. A thrust ring 23 is disposed within the cylindrical chamber formed in the fly wheel 13, the clutch ring 21 being disposed between the web 12 of the fly wheel and said thrust ring 23. The thrust ring is provided with equally spaced rearwardly tending projections or lugs 24, as shown in Figs. 1 and 1H. A ring 25 of friction material is disposed between the web 12 of the fiy wheel and the clutch ring 21 and a similar'ring 26 of friction material is disposed between the clutch ring 21 and the thrust ring 23. r1`he chamber formed in the fly wheel 13 is closed by the lever fulcrum plate 27 having its periphery externallythreaded at 28 so that it may be screwed into the internally threaded portion 15 of the fiy wheel 13. The lever fulcrum plate 27 is provided with a plurality oi lforwardly extending pairs of spaced lugs 29 projecting from the cupshaped portion 30 of the plate, there being one pair of lugs for each rearwardly extending projection 24 on the thrust ring 23.

A locking ring 31 is provided for the lever fulcrum plate and is of substantially the diameter of the portion 15 of the fly wheel; and is provided on its inner periphery with a plurality of projecting portions 32 which are of such width as to snugly fit between the lugs 29 of said fulcrum plate. rthe locking ring 3l is also provided with a plurality ot arcuate slots 34, each formed on an are having its center at the axial center of the cover plate, said locking ring being secured to the fly wheel by means of the bolts 33 which Vextend through said slots 34 into the portion l of the fly wheel. Each pair ot lugs 29 carries a pin 35 on which a lever 36 is tulcrumed, each of said levers being provided at its outer end with short arms 37 which are adapted to engage the projecting lugs 24 on the thrust ring 23, the inner ends or -the levers being curved as indicated at 38 to agree substantially with the curvature ot the wall of the cover plate.

rthe cup-shaped portion 30 ot the ulcrum plate is Yformed with a central hub or bearing '39 in which a clutch actuating` sleeve 40 is slidably mounted, the liorward end of said sleeve 40 being provided with circumferential groove 4l in which the laterally extending lingers kor studs 42 on the inner ends of the levers 36 are disposed, said inner ends of the levers beingpreferably curved, as shown in Fig. Il. rl`he rear end ezt the sleeve 40 is Vprovided with a radially extending flange 43 and with a reduced rearwardly extending tubular portion -44 on which is mounted a. thrust bearing 45 which is secured in place by the locking ring 46. A compression spring 4l' is mounted between the flange 43 and the rear face of the lulcrum plate 27, as shown -in Fig. I. The forks of the clutch releasi lever '48 are adapted to engage the thrust bearing 45 so that when the lever is operated to release the clutch the sleeve 40 will bemoved forward again-st the tension oft the spring 47 so as to move the outer ends 37 of the levers 36 rearwardly to disengage the .projections 24 ot the thrust ring From the description of the parts given above, the operation oi this ldevice can be very readily understood. lt will be seen that the Hy wheel 13 is continuously driven from the driving shaft l0 since it is connected therewith. The lever fulcrum plate 27, being screwed into the interior ot the rearwardly extending portion 15` of the tly wheel, is driven therewith. said plate being also locked to the lly wheel by means of the locking ri-ng 3l bolted to the lly wheel.

The thrust ring 23 which is mounted within the llv wheel is movable avially thereof, but'rotates therewith because of the engagement ol the rearwardly projecting lugs 24 with the outer ends of the levers 3G. the clutch ring being` connected to the driven shaft lr6 to drive the same when the parts are in lthe position shownV in Fig. l. it being understood that the spring 47 normally holds the sleeve 40 in position to cause the levers v-3'6to maintain the parts in clutching' position. i

is desired to release the clutch,

the actuating lever 48 is operated to press againstthe thrust bearing 45 thereby moving the sleeve lorwardly against the action ot the spring 47 and at the same time mov the clutch actuatinglevers to release positio'i to permitl the tly wheel to rotate without driving the transmission shalt. ln rase it i'ieccssary to adjust the parts ol the chit: h to compensate tor wear, the bolts are loose-nee su as to allow the lever luleruni i be screwed into or out et the lly L provide 'for the' proper adjustment iction L, .tesrelatively to the lly when the desire adjustment has to the parts by incans ot this al' the lever iulcrum plate in the lly r lulcruin plate is thus locked in i' rase a greater adjustment is needllowed by the limits ot the slots Ell can be eitirely removed and ter inminente can be given to the c, since there is nothing` to liuiit olf the locking ring- 3l relatively i. rlhe bolts lll can then be nte the tly wheel to hold the lorfling ring in its new position olf adjustment.

it will be seen that the clutch actuating` sleeve fulcruin plate 2T and not on the driven sha lt lG and that there is :i considerable space between the extension 44 ot the sleeve 40 and the driven sha" ll so that any unequal adjustment et the covei` plat-e will not cause the sleeve to tilt and bind on the driven shalt lll.

' re. the vforward end oli the sleeve the groove 4l is ot the same diameter as ic ajor portion ol" said sleevethat 'the ont sleeve can be witlnlrawn om its bearing in the hub 39 ot the cover -slate when the levers 3G are diseoiniected. Athis greatly facilitates the disassembling`- ol the parts ot' the elul'eh and renders them much more accessible. The levers may be removed liv unscrewifxo; the cover plate 'from the tlv wheel and driving` out the pivot pins l ani aware that the particular embodinicnt ot my invention. which l have here showi and described. is susceptible ol' considerable variation without departing from the sniril thercoi. and` therefore. l desire to claim my invention broadly. as well :is specilicallv. as indicated by the ann-ended claims.

Flowing` thus i'lcscribcd mv invention. what l claim as new a. d desire to secure bv lietters Patent. is: i

l. A device et the class described. couiprisine` the combination olc a driving' (lv wheel having a chamber formed therein: a thrust ringwithin said chamber movable axially et the ily wheel: laterally extending; projections upon said thrust ring: u driven shatt: a clutch ring fixed toisaid 40 is slidahly mounted in the lever l driven shaft and disposed in said chamber between said fly wheel and said thrust ring; a cover plate secured upon said fly wheel and having forwardly extending portions engaging and interlocking with said projections; levers pivotally supported on said cover plate independently of said thrust ring and inclosed by the cover` plate; and means for actuating the levers to move said thrust ring into engagement with said clutch ring.

2. A device of the class described, comprising thc combination of a driving fly wheel having a chamber formed therein; a thrust ring housed within said chamber and provided with a plurality of laterally extending projections; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed upon said shaft and disposed within said chamber between said fiy wheel and said thrust ring; a cover plate secured upon said fly wheel having a plurality of laterally extending lugs separate from but in engagement with the projections on said thrust ring; levers fulcrumed upon said lugs and bearing against the ends of said projections; and means exteriorly of the cover plate for actuating said levers.

3. A device of the class described, comprising the combination of a` driving fiv wheel having' a chamber formed therein; a thrust ring housed within said chamber, provided with a plurality of rearwardly extending projections; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed to said driven shaft and interposed between said fly wheel and said thrust ring; a cover plate secured upon said fly wheel having laterally extending lugs engaging said projections on opposite sides thereof; levers pivotally supported upon said cover plate independently of said thrust ring and inclosed by the cover plate; and means for actuating said levers to move said thrust ring into and out of driving contact with said clutch ring.

/l. A device of the class described, comprising the combination of a driving fly wheel having a chamber formed therein; a thrust ring` housed within said chamber, movable axially of said fiy wheel; a plurality of lateral projections upon said thrust ring; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed to said driven shaft and interposed between said fly wheel and said thrust ring; a plate secured upon said fly wheel having lugs cxtending on opposite sides of the projections; levers fulcrumed between said lugs and adapted to engage the ends of said projections; and mea-ns for actuating said levers in opposite directions.

5. A device of the class described; comprising the combination of a driving fly wheel having a chamber formed therein; a thrust ring housed within said chamber and movable axially thereof; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed to said driven shaft and interposed between Said fly wheel and said thrust ring; a plate screwed upon said fly wheel; a plurality of levers fulcrumed upon said plate for actuating said thrust ring axially of the fly wl eel; a locking ring having projections engaging said plate to lock the same and provided with a plurality of arcuate slots; bolts screwed into said fly wheel and projecting through said slots for adjustably securing` said locking ring upon said fly wheel; and means for actuating said levers.

6. A device of the class described, comprising the combination of a driving fly wheel provided with a rearwardly extending flange forming a chamber within said fly wheel; a thrust ring housed within said chamber, movable axially of the fly wheel and provided with a plurality of laterally extensing projections; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed to said driven shaft and interposed between said fly wheel. and said thrust ring; a cover plate secured upon said flange; said cover plate being provided with plurality of pairs of laterally extending members between which said projections extend; and a locking ring adjustably secured to said flange and provided with locking portions disposed between each of said pairs of laterally extending members.

7. A -device of the class described, comprising the combination of a fiy wheel having a chamber formed therein; a thrust ring housed within said chamber and movable axially of the fly wheel5 said ring being provided with a plurality of laterally extending projections; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed to said shaft and interposed between said fly wheel and said thrust ring; a cover plate secured upon said fly wheel and having spaced laterally extending lugs adapted to engage the opposite sides of said projections; a locking ring provided with a plurality of arcuate slots and having inwardly projecting portions disposed between said spaced lugs; and bolts passing through said arcuate slots into engagement with said fly wheel and adjustably securing said locking ring upon said fly wheel.

8. A device of the class described7 comprising the combination of a driving fly wheel having a chamber formed therein; a thrust ring housed within said chamber and movable axially of the fly wheel.1 said thrust ring being provided with a plurality of rearwardly extending projections; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed to said shaft and disposed between said fly wheel and said thrust ring; a cover plate adjustably secured to said fly wheel and provided with a plurality of pairs of forwardly extending lugs; each of said projections on the thrust ring being disposed between one of said pairs of lugs; a lever fulcrumed between each of said pairs of lugs and engaging the rear end of one of said rearwardly extending projections on the thrust ring; and means for ae tuating said levers to move said thrust ring axially 'of the fly Wheel.

9. A device of the class described, comprising the combination of a driving fly Wheel; a chamber formed therein; a thrust ring housed Within said chamber and movable axially of the fly wheel, said thrust ring being provided with a plurality of rearwardly extending projections; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed to said driven shaft and interposed between said fly wheel and said thrust ring; a cover plate secured to said fly wheel and adapted to close said chamber; a plurality of lugs upon said cover plate overlapping said projections and coperating with the projections to lock said thrust ring upon said fly Wheel toprevent rotation thereof relatively to said fly wheel; and a plurality of levers pivoted on said lugs and engaging the rear ends of the projections on the thrust ring to actuate the latter axially ofthe fly Wheel.

l0. A device of the class described, comprising the combination of a driving fly wheel having a chamber formed therein; a

thrust ring mounted in said chamber and movable axially of the fly wheel, said thrust ring being in interlocking engagement with said fly Wheel to prevent relative rotation of said parts; a driven shaft; a clutch ring fixed thereon and interposed between said ily wheel and said thrust ring.; a cover plate secured to said fly wheel and closing said chamber; said cover plate being provided with a central bearing sleeve; a clutch ac tuating sleeve slidably mounted in said bearing sleeve and removable rearn'znfdly therefrom; the forward end of said clutch sleeve being provided with a groove; a plurality o'l actuating levers fulcrumed upon said cover plate and having fingers at their inner ends extending laterally and disposed in said groove; a spring seated upon the rear face olf the cover plate and operatively connected with said sleeve for moving it in one direction and means exteriorly of the cover plate for moving said clutch actuating sleeve in an opposite direction.

In testimony whereof, l aflix my signature.

EDWARD H. ELDEN. 

